Taylor vs Pili: Boxing world pays tribute to ‘one of the best to ever do it’

Former world champion Barry Jones picked out the final 20 seconds, when Taylor produced the kind of rapid combinations which defined so many of her biggest fights.

“That’s what you really remember about her,” he said on the Dazn broadcast.

“Those rallies of big punches, combinations and that’s how she finished her last fight.”

American Mikaela Mayer – who was also ringside – was struck by the final image of Taylor placing her gloves in the centre of the ring.

“I was sitting there watching her put her gloves in the centre of the ring and it’s like a story,” she said.

Taylor had long dreamed of fighting at Croke Park and had made clear she wanted the stadium to stage the final chapter of her career.

Bellew said there was “no way” Taylor would return to boxing, although he could see her remaining involved by mentoring younger fighters.

“She will always be there to give her advice, speak to her and help her,” he said.

“But ultimately she will sail off into the sunset and who could possibly deserve it more.”